Can't light the friggin' refer?

[Jim Bennett]

Just a fun observation of one example the different terminologies used across the continent.

Around here the refrigerator gets shortened to 'fridge'. I see others using 'frig' which to me is more commonly used as a milder version of the F-bomb. Others use 'refer', which to me is one of those wacky tobacky things (or so I've been told ).

I guess I just entertain easily, carry on.

[Mary F]

Just be sure the gas is ON. You'll never get it lit if it's switched to AC or DC. Believe me, I know ...

[realgranola]

Heehee

[rabbit]

Considering the finicky temperament of 3-ways, I can understand how fridge might turn into frig under one's breath. As to "refer," when I first saw this spelling in reference to rv refrigerators, I thought it was a mispelling of "reefer," a large, refrigerated container as in reefer car (railroad), and reefer trailer (road). The same phonetically but one missing the double-E. Maybe the lack of utility of the 3-ways doesn't warrant two Es? The usual spelling for the cannabis cigarette is also reefer rather than refer. Perhaps the recreational vehicle and the recreational chemical didn't mix thus the removal of the second E. One of the very good reasons not to name everything on the planet by the same name. The reintroduction of an old slang word from the Viet Nam War era may be over-dew.

jack

[Art VanDelay]

I-cA-BoxA
Italian fro Fridg

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Mary F

Just be sure the gas is ON. You'll never get it lit if it's switched to AC or DC. Believe me, I know ...

Gee Mary. I have never done anything like that....yeah, right.

Originally Posted by rabbit

Considering the finicky temperament of 3-ways, I can understand how fridge might turn into frig under one's breath. As to "refer," when I first saw this spelling in reference to rv refrigerators, I thought it was a mispelling of "reefer," a large, refrigerated container as in reefer car (railroad), and reefer trailer (road). The same phonetically but one missing the double-E. Maybe the lack of utility of the 3-ways doesn't warrant two Es? The usual spelling for the cannabis cigarette is also reefer rather than refer. Perhaps the recreational vehicle and the recreational chemical didn't mix thus the removal of the second E. One of the very good reasons not to name everything on the planet by the same name. The reintroduction of an old slang word from the Viet Nam War era may be over-dew.

jack

I had the same thought about a refrigerated container too Jack, and wondered if there was a parallel. I knew reefer was misspelled, but did not want to change the spelling for my post.

[rabbit]

. . . and how did the (soft G) "DG" get expressed in "fridge" when it's understood in frigid? Most folks think it has something to do with the brand name Frigidaire. Others don't care. If you do care, here's a link:


BBC - mbradio4 Word of Mouth - refrigerator

[fusedlight]

One thing I've done that's let me successfully (well, two or three times) light the 2-way is to hold the right-hand button down for a good minute AFTER I can see the little flame in the sight-hole on the left. I figure that what you're doing with that right-hand button is over-riding the "I'm going to turn off the gas if I don't feel heat" sensor gizmo. Unless that sensor is heated up the gas "should" turn off. Holding the button down makes sure that sensor is warm enough to let the gas flow. I'm surmising this based on the lighting sequence for my home gas furnace.

[Andrew Gibbens]

Originally Posted by fusedlight

I figure that what you're doing with that right-hand button is over-riding the "I'm going to turn off the gas if I don't feel heat" sensor gizmo.

In just these circumstances, I am a great fan of holding the button down very firmly, so that the button knows you aren't going to give in easily and let go. A mind over matter thing.

[fusedlight]

Originally Posted by Andrew Gibbens

In just these circumstances, I am a great fan of holding the button down very firmly, so that the button knows you aren't going to give in easily and let go. A mind over matter thing.

Absolutely! It's the same technique I use with computers. You talk sternly to the box whilst performing some operation.

[dylanear]

I don't think your supposed to do it this way, but I've found a "jet" lighter pointed through the observation hole has worked well for me.

[steve dunham]

When I worked as a Teamster in the 1960's ,a box car or trailer load of refrigerators was always referred to as a load of "refers" even by the guys in their 60's . When they were multiple boxcars stacked 2 high with refrigerators and you had to unload them by yourself ,by hand (No help No forklift) it was referred to as "refer madness" .

[rabbit]

And there's that fine old anti-drug film from the 30s called "Reefer Madness" and later adapted as a musical. Possibly some x-pollination there also.

jack

[Mike Magee]

I think people put a D in the fridge just so it wouldn't look like, um, that other activity.

[RogerDat]

If it works and keeps the beer cold you can call it anything you want. But when it won't light or doesn't run you can't post what the thing gets called then.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

I think people put a D in the fridge just so it wouldn't look like, um, that other activity.

No friging way!

Originally Posted by RogerDat

If it works and keeps the beer cold you can call it anything you want. But when it won't light or doesn't run you can't post what the thing gets called then.

True Dat, RogerDat.

[Steve Hammel]

It works best if you light your refer before you light your reefer. Otherwise you get lit and tend to stare at all the flames for a great deal of time while holding the button and the refer never seems to function properly. I've known people to just sit and stare for 10 minutes while holding that friggin button.

[BCDave]

Originally Posted by Andrew Gibbens

In just these circumstances, I am a great fan of holding the button down very firmly, so that the button knows you aren't going to give in easily and let go. A mind over matter thing.

There are also those occasions when you may become concerned about whether or not you have pressed it far enough or hard enough, and a few "gentle taps" with a 15 pound sledge seem to be called for.......

[RGill]

Originally Posted by fusedlight

One thing I've done that's let me successfully (well, two or three times) light the 2-way is to hold the right-hand button down for a good minute AFTER I can see the little flame in the sight-hole on the left. I figure that what you're doing with that right-hand button is over-riding the "I'm going to turn off the gas if I don't feel heat" sensor gizmo. Unless that sensor is heated up the gas "should" turn off. Holding the button down makes sure that sensor is warm enough to let the gas flow. I'm surmising this based on the lighting sequence for my home gas furnace.

I just wasted a nickel bag trying that!